Elian squinted as the press lights blinded him, a dozen microphones jabbing at his face like spears.
"How does it feel to be Barca's new star?" a reporter shouted, voice cutting through the post-match chaos.
"Two goals, an assist—another Messi in the making?" The questions overlapped, a wall of noise pressing in. He shifted on his feet, the ache in his left heel a dull pulse, and mumbled, "Uh, it's about the team. We played well." His voice sounded small, swallowed by the clamor. Someone shoved a phone recorder closer, and he flinched.
